Tirana to Dubrovnik by bus

I did this journey on May 5th 2011. It took exactly 10 hours from Tirana to Dubrovnik and cost 30Euros. It is not straightforward and requires using 4 buses, but is not impossible. The most difficult part is actually getting out of Tirana. I explain each step below.

1. You need to get a bus from Tirana to Skoder (pronounced shkodre) on the Montenegro border. In order to connect with the two ongoing buses from Skoder you must get a bus at 7am. The bus leaves from a roundabout called Zogu I Zi, which is at the end of one of the main streets in Tirana called Rugga e Dorresit. There is no bus stop or station, and it is a local mini bus not a coach. It will be parked outside an apartment block on the left hand corner nearest you. The apartment building has “These are the things worth fighting for” written across it. The mini bus is white and will have a small sign for ‘Skoder’ in the window. You pay the driver 4euros, and at 7am you’re off!

2. When you arrive in Skoder taxi drivers telling you that there is no bus to Montenegro and that you have made a mistake will accost you. This is a scam. The mini bus is waiting outside the Theatre, which is a five-minute walk straight ahead from where the bus has left you. This bus has ‘Ulcinj’ in the window, which is the connection in Montenegro. 4euros.

3. 3. When you arrive in Ulcinj you must jump straight onto another bus witing for you at the bus station to a place called Budva. 7euros.

4. You arrive in Budva at about noon and get the 14.00 bus to Dubrovnik arriving at 17.00.

There are no border charges and if you are asked to pay anything it is also a scam. Taxis from Tirana to Dubrovnik are available for about 250USD and the drivers will probably expect their lunch and try to get phony border charges from you. Don’t do it!

I hope this makes sense. If anyone would like clarification that’s no problem: calumpage (at) gmail (dot) com